Mindful Sketching: How to Develop a Drawing Practice and Embrace the Art of Imperfection: A Drawing Book for Adults - Softcover

Dean, Peggy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1632174197 ISBN 13: 9781632174192

Publisher: Spruce Books, 2022

Synopsis

Develop a visual mindfulness practice―and enjoy the mental health benefits of mindful drawing! Embrace imperfection and express your own unique creativity by learning how to stay in the moment as you draw with this how-to guide to mindful sketching. Mindful sketching is a life-changing drawing practice that offers the benefits of being in the moment while developing a mindfulness habit that draws on your own creativity: • Combine the mental health benefits of mindfulness with the joy of sketching with this how-to guidebook by beloved art teacher Peggy Dean that walks you through the basics of staying present while you draw―and teaches you how to enjoy your work without self-criticism. • Peggy leads readers through the basics of why and how to begin mindful sketching with instruction on materials, techniques, and working with different subject matter and locations; plus offers step-by-step exercises to guide you through the learning process, and fun sketching prompts. • Learn how to stay in the moment while you’re working, draw what you see around you, and embrace the results. Enjoy the mental state of calmness, flow, and non-judgmental self-expression that is mindfulness. • Great for fans of Samantha Dion Baker, James Richards, Jen Russell-Smith, Mark Kistler, Flora Waycott, Danny Gregory, and Marc Taro Holmes. Grab your sketchbook and get started―yes, you can draw!

About this title

About the Author

Peggy Dean is a best-selling author, award-winning educator, and founder of the popular educational platform The Pigeon Letters. Peggy’s books include The Ultimate Brush Lettering Guide, Botanical Line Drawing, and Peggy Dean’s Guide to Nature Drawing & Watercolor. Her work has been nationally recognized in worldwide publications. She maintains a popular instructional social media platform to inspire people to create. Peggy lives and works in Portland, Oregon and travels the world for speaking engagements and hands-on workshops.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

MINDFULNESS AND SKETCHING
 
I’m so excited to take you through what I have found to be a rather profound adventure in discovery, that at first glance appears simply visual, but runs so much deeper. It is powerful to create something and add your own unique spin on it, through your style, selections, energy, or all of the above.
 
I encourage you to make this experience your own. As you connect to your creative side, know that you do not need to know how to draw. Sketching our surroundings is even better when your efforts have an organic energy without perfect lines, proportions, or symmetry. Being free in this way will allow you to cultivate a deeper connection with all that surrounds you.
 
I first felt the impact of this style of sketching when I came across a piece by James Richards. I not only saw this artwork, but I felt it.
 
From the vibrancy of his color choices to his expressive lines to his intentional subject matter—a bustling crowd, greenery, and old architecture captured in a way only he can—I saw the unique beauty of it.
 
Each style you come across will have a different feel. A group of people can draw the same subject and each interpretation would be specific to the person who created it, whether on purpose or not. We can’t hide from our own unique creative interpretations on paper: It’s a beautiful thing.

BENEFITS OF DEVELOPING A SKETCHING PRACTICE
 
Have you ever noticed upon reflection that a cramped road trip, a long waiting period, or some other experience that might have been considered an inconvenience yielded a silver lining based on some minor or unexpected things that occurred? Sometimes the memories we have highlight the best moments during those times rather than the final result or destination. I had a paradigm shift when I adopted this mindset after noticing my own thought reflections. Suddenly, what I used to consider moments of unimportant or even annoying “in-between times” became memorable and important.
 
It’s about the journey. So do it for the process.

Edition details

• Publisher: Spruce Books
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1632174197
• ISBN 13: 9781632174192
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176